To provide to the West Marin community emergency funds and supportive care to people in crisis, or who have special needs, and are unable to find assistance through any other means. We extend our support to other programs and nonprofit organizations in West Marin that also promote individual well-being and a caring community. Self-sufficiency, human dignity and social justice are the values that guide our efforts.

Description:
West Marin Community Services is the nonprofit umbrella organization for the West Marin Community Resource Center and the West Marin Thrift Store, and acts as fiscal agents for several community programs. These community agencies have worked diligently for over 30 years to support low income English and Spanish speaking community members of West Marin by providing emergency services that include a food pantry, energy assistance, housing assistance, medical and dental assistance, emergency grants and loans, childcare, and other critical home needs.

History:
West Marin Community Services was established as the umbrella organization in early 2000 to oversee the West Marin Community Resource Center, the West Marin Thrift Store, and several other community programs such as the English as a Second Language program for Shoreline Unified School District and the Point Reyes Community Garden. The West Marin Community Resource Center was originally established in 1974 by the Volunteer Center, and has helped more than 70,000 individuals in their time of need. Some of the people helped in 2007 are: a low income senior, who was provided with funds to rent a hospital bed while recuperating from surgery; a single, low-income mother of 3 was assisted with funds for a cord of wood to provide heat during the cold winter months; a person was helped with car registration and insurance to assist them in getting to necessary doctor and hospital visits; a homeless family of five was assisted with a two-night emergency hotel stay; and a homeless man who was released from the hospital and recovering from severe burns was assisted in receiving shelter for 30 days.

The West Marin Thrift Store was established in September, 1987, to provide low-cost and emergency no-cost clothing and household items to the community. The Thrift Store provides the community a place to recycle and purchase quality items at affordable prices. The profits from the Thrift Store are distributed back into the comunity with particular concern for low-income children, families and seniors, through grants and loans for emergency supportive care to people in crisis, grants to local nonprofit childcare and preschool agencies, and grants to local senior services programs and individuals. Since its inception, the West Marin Thrift Store has distributed over $414,000 back into the community through grants and loans since May, 2008.

Contact people:

Sarah Atherton, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Amy Faulstich, Director, Community Resource Center, (phone), (email) Babette Sange, Manager, Thrift Store, (phone), (email)

Address:

11431 Highway One, Suite 20 Point Reyes Station, CA 94956 (See a map)

Directions:

Take State Route Highway One to downtown Point Reyes Station. Go through town, keep to the right as Highway One turns, one block up on the lefthand side in the Creamery Building (corner of Highway One and Mesa Road).   Nearest Bus Stop: Marin Stage Coach/Point Reyes Station, 3 minute walk